A croissant is a buttery, flaky, viennoiserie pastry inspired by the shape of the Austrian kipferl but using the French yeast-leavened laminated dough. Croissants are named for their historical crescent shape. Croissants can be eaten plain or filled with savoury or sweet fillings. A great filling for a healthy breakfast croissant is smoked salmon and avocado. If you have a sweet tooth, maybe a croissant filled with strawberries and cream and dusted with confectioner's sugar will be more to your liking. The possibilities are endless.